David NjokuMar 9

Random thought.

If public libraries didn't already exist, capitalism wouldn't let you invent it. Can you imagine how many billions Jeff Bezos would plough into fighting the idea, destroying any politician who dared to back it?

Support your local library.

Show threadKalki RiderMar 9

@davidnjoku

What does capitalism have to do with the fact most people are stupid enough to get locked into a walled garden where they don't really buy anything but pay for a subscription?

What does capitalism have to do with the fact that we are being pushed into a future where we essentially own nothing and we're supposed to be happy about it?

Neither of these things are a fundamental part of capitalism.

Show threadWoozle HypertwinMar 9

@Kalki_Rider They seem directly connected, to me. Capitalism causes both of them.

@davidnjoku

Show threadKalki RiderMar 9
@woozle @davidnjoku Then you don't know the definition of capitalism. In capitalism, owning things is generally seen as a good thing.
Show threadWoozle HypertwinMar 10

@Kalki_Rider

Yes, that is correct. Capitalism says nothing, however, about ensuring that ownership is equitable, fair, or even common.

@davidnjoku

Show threadKalki RiderMar 10
@woozle @davidnjoku Well then, on the same token, Communism and Socialism must both fundamentally lead to totalitarianism.
Show threadWoozle HypertwinMar 10

@Kalki_Rider

Why would you suggest that socialism leads to totalitarianism?

@davidnjoku

Show threadKalki RiderMar 10
@woozle @davidnjoku Show me where it hasn't.
Show threadSolithaMar 10

@Kalki_Rider All of Scandinavia?

You're viewing our current situation in a short-sighted way. Paying for subs means we're basically renting... from the rich person who owns the material or rights.

The landlord is a part of capitalism.

@woozle @davidnjoku

Show threadKalki RiderMar 10
@solitha @woozle @davidnjoku Scandinavia doesn't exactly have the best speech laws. Let alone privacy.
Show threadSolithaMar 10

@Kalki_Rider They're better off than where we are, and worlds better than where we're going.

@woozle @davidnjoku

Show threadKalki RiderMar 10
@solitha @woozle @davidnjoku No, they are not. Say the wrong thing there and the police will come to your door. Fail to comply with their complaints and you will suffer. This is not freedom.
Show threadWoozle HypertwinMar 10

@Kalki_Rider

Even if true, that has nothing to do with socialism.

@solitha @davidnjoku

Show threadKalki Rider
@woozle @solitha @davidnjoku Oh but it does. Because it's basically a pyramid scheme that requires authoritarianism to keep in place for any extended period of time. Until the inevitable collapse, that is.
Mar 11 at 9:13amWeb
Show threadWoozle HypertwinMar 11

@Kalki_Rider

Socialism is not a pyramid scheme nor does it require authoritarianism. It tends to work against authoritarianism, in fact, by diluting concentrations of power.

...unless you are defining "socialism" quite differently than I am -- perhaps you could share your definition? ...that is to say, what characteristics identify a system as "socialist"?

@solitha @davidnjoku